Pentagon Lifts Ban on Iraqi Translators Wearing Ski Masks

Source (BBC News)

The pentagon has lifted a ban that prevented Iraqi translators working with US troops from wearing ski masks to conceal their identity. The ban was intended to convey a new sense of security, and show that translators no longer fear for their life.

One interpreter said, “If anyone of my neighbors see me with this uniform I will get killed.” One ground commander commented on how valuable the Iraqi translators are. He then went on to say that US troops try to protect their translator’s identity.

Initially US officials agreed with the ban. They felt that if the translators did not like their job they could work somewhere else. The ban was lifted following a congressional petition to Defence Secretary Robert Gates.